The 2026 COLA will be announced in October 2025

Social Security announces the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) each October, and the 2026 increase will be no different. The announcement typically comes in the second week of October, and the new payment amount takes effect the following January. Until that announcement happens, the exact percentage increase for 2026 is not yet known.

The COLA is calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures inflation across the economy. If inflation rises between the third quarter of 2024 and the third quarter of 2025, your SSDI payment will increase by that same percentage in January 2026. If there is no inflation, there is no COLA — though this has not happened since 2010.

You do not need to do anything to receive the increase. If you are already receiving SSDI, the higher amount will appear in your January 2026 payment automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 COLA percentage will be announced in October 2025 and take effect in January 2026.
  • The increase is based on inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index, not on a fixed rate or formula Congress sets each year.
  • Your new payment amount will arrive automatically in January 2026 if you are already receiving SSDI — you do not need to contact Social Security.
  • Recent COLA increases have ranged from 1.3% to 8.7%, depending on inflation that year.

How the COLA is calculated and why it changes year to year

The COLA is not a choice or a decision made by Social Security or Congress. It is a mathematical result: Social Security compares the Consumer Price Index from July, August, and September of one year to the same three months in the previous year. The percentage change becomes the COLA for the following year.

This means the 2026 COLA depends entirely on how much prices rose between the third quarter of 2024 and the third quarter of 2025. If groceries, gas, housing, and other costs rose 3%, your SSDI payment rises 3%. If they rose 1%, your payment rises 1%. The formula has been the same since 1975.

Because inflation is unpredictable, the COLA changes from year to year. In 2024, the COLA was 3.2%. In 2023, it was 8.7% — the highest in four decades. In 2022, it was 5.9%. These swings reflect real changes in the cost of living, not changes in policy.

What happens to your payment amount in January 2026

When the 2026 COLA takes effect on January 1, your monthly SSDI payment will increase by the announced percentage. If you receive your payment by direct deposit, the new amount will appear in your bank account. If you receive a check, the check will be for the higher amount.

The increase applies to your primary insurance amount — the base payment Social Security calculates based on your work history. If you receive a reduced payment because you claimed before full retirement age, or if you receive a payment as a family member of someone on SSDI, your payment will increase by the same percentage.

You will receive a notice from Social Security in December 2025 showing your new payment amount. Keep this notice for your records. If the amount shown is incorrect or does not match what you expected, contact Social Security to ask why.

How the COLA affects other benefits and costs

The COLA also affects Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a separate program for people with low income and few resources. SSI recipients receive the same percentage increase as SSDI recipients, though the maximum SSI payment amount is different.

The COLA does not directly change the cost of Medicare premiums, but higher SSDI payments can affect how much you pay for Medicare Part B and Part D coverage. If your SSDI payment increases, your Medicare premium may also increase — though Social Security has a rule called "Government Pension Offset" that can limit how much your premium rises in a single year.

Some people on SSDI also receive Medicaid, which is run by states. A COLA increase does not automatically change your Medicaid status, but it may affect your income level for Medicaid purposes depending on your state's rules. Contact your state Medicaid office if you are unsure how a payment increase will affect your coverage.

Planning for the 2026 increase

If you budget based on your current SSDI payment, the January increase will give you slightly more money each month. For some people, this means a small cushion for unexpected costs. For others, it barely keeps pace with inflation and does not change their financial situation.

You can estimate the 2026 increase by watching inflation reports in the summer and fall of 2025, but remember that the official COLA is not announced until October. News outlets often publish predictions based on inflation data through August or September, but these are estimates, not guarantees.

If you are planning major expenses or changes to your budget, it is safer to wait until December 2025, when Social Security sends you the notice with your actual new payment amount. This way you know the exact figure rather than relying on a prediction.

What to do if you have questions about your 2026 payment

You can check your current SSDI payment amount and view your payment history by creating an account on ssa.gov and using "my Social Security." This is the official Social Security website, and it is free to use.

If you do not have an online account, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to ask about your payment. Have your Social Security number ready. Wait times are often shorter early in the morning or on weekdays.

If you receive your SSDI payment through a representative payee — someone who manages the money on your behalf — the payee will also receive notice of the increase. The payee is responsible for using the money according to your needs, and the increase does not change that responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find out what the 2026 COLA will be before October?

No official announcement comes before October, but news outlets publish predictions based on inflation data through August or September. These predictions are often close to the actual COLA, but they are not may provide. The official announcement always comes in October.

Will the 2026 COLA increase affect my SSI payment the same way?

Yes. SSI and SSDI recipients receive the same COLA percentage increase. However, SSI has a lower maximum payment amount, so the dollar increase may be smaller even though the percentage is the same.

What if I think my 2026 payment is wrong?

Contact Social Security as soon as you receive your December notice. Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office. Bring the notice and any documents related to your SSDI claim. Social Security can explain how the increase was calculated.

Does the COLA increase affect my Medicare premiums?

It may. A higher SSDI payment can increase your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums, though Social Security has rules that limit how much your premium can rise in a single year. Contact Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 to ask how your specific premiums will change.

If I am working and receiving SSDI, does the COLA still explore?

Yes. The COLA applies to all SSDI recipients, whether they are working or not. However, if your work earnings are high enough, Social Security may reduce or stop your SSDI payment under the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) rules. The COLA increase does not change how those rules work.